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An American Crime (2007)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
7 December 2007 (Sweden)
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Tagline:
This has been the most terrible crime ever committed in the state of Indiana more
Plot:
The true story of suburban housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, who kept a teenage girl locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Carnival
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Single Mother
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1960s
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Basement
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Teenage Girl
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Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe.
Another 2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(38 articles)
Showtime Signs Shameless Pilot
(From BuzzFocus.com. 15 October 2009, 10:37 AM, PDT)
Ellen Page dismisses "dark" film reputation
(From digitalspy. 4 October 2009, 10:22 AM, PDT)
(From BuzzFocus.com. 15 October 2009, 10:37 AM, PDT)
Ellen Page dismisses "dark" film reputation
(From digitalspy. 4 October 2009, 10:22 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
The Girl Next Door: An American Crime
more (74 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Ellen Page | ... | Sylvia Likens | |
| Hayley McFarland | ... | Jennifer Faye 'Jennie' Likens | |
| Nick Searcy | ... | Lester Likens | |
| Romy Rosemont | ... | Betty Likens | |
| Catherine Keener | ... | Gertrude Baniszewski | |
| Ari Graynor | ... | Paula Baniszewski | |
| Scout Taylor-Compton | ... | Stephanie Baniszewski | |
| Tristan Jarred | ... | Johnny Baniszewski | |
| Hannah Leigh Dworkin | ... | Shirley Baniszewski | |
| Bradley Whitford | ... | Prosecutor Leroy K. New | |
| Michael O'Keefe | ... | Reverend Bill Collier | |
| Carlie Westerman | ... | Marie Baniszewski | |
| Michelle Benes | ... | Hope Orbach | |
| Patricia Place | ... | Mrs. Doyle | |
| Calvin Keet | ... | Mr. Doyle |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
The Basement (USA) (working title)
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MPAA:
Rated R for strong and disturbing depiction of child abuse and torture.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
97 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:R (Certificate #43082) |
Sweden:15 |
Germany:16 |
Spain:18 |
Finland:K-15 |
Netherlands:16 |
Brazil:16 |
Singapore:NC-16
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The film is based largely on actual court transcripts from the case.
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Goofs:
Anachronisms: When a shot of the front of the house is shown, you can see that there is a red Chevrolet Corvette '68 parked in front of the neighbor's. At that time, the story is set in 1965.
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Quotes:
Shirley Baniszewski:
I thought we were just teaching her.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2009) (TV)
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Soundtrack:
Hi Henry's Triumphal March
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FAQ
Was this really based on a true story?What is the difference between this film and 'The Girl Next Door' (2007)
Is there anything shown after the credits?
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more (74 total)
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First off to anyone that has, will or wants to see this film I would also suggest The Girl Next Door, which is based on the same story but takes liberties as this film does. It is very interesting to see the differences between the two interpretations of the same events. The other interesting thing is, in my opinion these movies are perfect if you put them together, everything one does wrong the other does right and visa versa. An American Crime was great in its more detailed set up to these events along with it's amazing court room scenes that added a much need closer element that The Girl Next Door was desperately lacking. On the other hand The girl Next Door was much better at visualizing the actual events, don't get me wrong what happened to this girl was horrible, but in An American Crime it was just not portrayed as well by Ellen Page. I know that sounds weird for me to say too, but I assume that it was either the directors choice or an attempt at realism, but Ellen Page's character just shut down. Were as in The Girl Next Door, we saw more of a fighter in Blythe Auffarth's portrayal of the same character, someone who was changed by the experience. Also The Girl Next Door did not shy away from the violence as An American Crime did, now for some I'm sure that is a blessing, because I have heard of several people who could not finish watching The Girl Next Door for that very reason, and because these situations all involved young kids it is completely understandable. My overall point is that together these two films would make a wonderful film, but definitely not a film for everyone. Both films still do leave me wondering, what exactly did happen, exactly, so many liberties have been taken that some of the facts are a little fuzzy.